OUTDOORS

Scallop season slowed by weather

Published: Wednesday, July 3, 2013 at 4:53 p.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, July 3, 2013 at 4:53 p.m.

Last weekend marked the opening of bay scallop season.

But because of the bad weather, let's call it a soft opening.

"It's been hit or miss so far," said Eric Mylin of Magic Manatee Marina in Homosassa. "Some people have been having success, but it's hard to see when it's so cloudy and overcast. And the tides have been higher because of the weather."

Gov. Rick Scott declared that scallop season open June 29 — two days before its normal start date of July 1 — to give people an extra weekend out on the water. While it was a thoughtful gesture, Mother Nature didn't cooperate.

Scallop harvesting is allowed in Gulf waters from the shore to nine nautical miles between the Pasco-Hernando county line up through the Big Bend to the west bank of the Mexico Beach Canal in Bay County. The season ends Sept. 24.

Each person is allowed two gallons of whole bay scallops per day. A boat is limited to 10 gallons of scallops. Collecting by hand or with a dip net is allowed.

According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the average number of scallops seen in preseason surveys doubled in Homosassa and St. Joseph Bay. Steinhatchee has seen a slight increase. Surveys also found that the St. Marks average "decreased substantially from June 2012, which was most likely due to effects from Tropical Storm Debby."

With better weather expected over the Fourth of July weekend, business is expected to pick up at marinas throughout the Nature Coast. The sun is expected to make an appearance on Independence Day with a 50 percent chance of rain in the Homosassa-Crystal River area, according to the National Weather Service. It gets even better Friday through Sunday with mostly sunny skies with a 40 percent chance of rain.

"The scallops are out there," said Diana Edge of Riverhaven Marina in Homosassa. "I've seen them. Once the weather breaks, we'll be bombarded."

JUNIOR BASS TOURNAMENT: The third annual Junior Bassmaster Challenge is set for July 27 on Lake Kerr, which is nestled in the northern part of the Ocala National Forest. The event, which costs $20 and includes a T-shirt and lunch, is for kids ages 6 through 18. Anglers must pre-register on one of two dates — Friday or July 12 — between 5 and 6 p.m. at Gander Mountain.

The inaugural event featured 27 junior anglers, while last year there were 44. Organizers are capping the number of anglers at 60 this year.

Participants need to arrive at the Moorehead Park boat ramp by 5 a.m. The tournament begins at 6 a.m. with a weigh-in at 1 p.m. There will be three age groups (6-10, 11-14, 15-18) with first-, second- and third-place trophies as well as an award for the biggest bass. Every junior angler will get a prize. Eighteen-year-olds who participate must be attending high school this fall.

For more information visit www.marioncountybassmasters.com or call 572-3148.

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Contact Ted Beck at ted.beck@ocala.com to contribute story ideas for this weekly column.

<p>Last weekend marked the opening of bay scallop season.</p><p>But because of the bad weather, let's call it a soft opening.</p><p>"It's been hit or miss so far," said Eric Mylin of Magic Manatee Marina in Homosassa. "Some people have been having success, but it's hard to see when it's so cloudy and overcast. And the tides have been higher because of the weather."</p><p>Gov. Rick Scott declared that scallop season open June 29 — two days before its normal start date of July 1 — to give people an extra weekend out on the water. While it was a thoughtful gesture, Mother Nature didn't cooperate.</p><p>Scallop harvesting is allowed in Gulf waters from the shore to nine nautical miles between the Pasco-Hernando county line up through the Big Bend to the west bank of the Mexico Beach Canal in Bay County. The season ends Sept. 24.</p><p>Each person is allowed two gallons of whole bay scallops per day. A boat is limited to 10 gallons of scallops. Collecting by hand or with a dip net is allowed.</p><p>According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the average number of scallops seen in preseason surveys doubled in Homosassa and St. Joseph Bay. Steinhatchee has seen a slight increase. Surveys also found that the St. Marks average "decreased substantially from June 2012, which was most likely due to effects from Tropical Storm Debby."</p><p>With better weather expected over the Fourth of July weekend, business is expected to pick up at marinas throughout the Nature Coast. The sun is expected to make an appearance on Independence Day with a 50 percent chance of rain in the Homosassa-Crystal River area, according to the National Weather Service. It gets even better Friday through Sunday with mostly sunny skies with a 40 percent chance of rain.</p><p>"The scallops are out there," said Diana Edge of Riverhaven Marina in Homosassa. "I've seen them. Once the weather breaks, we'll be bombarded."</p><p><b>JUNIOR BASS TOURNAMENT:</b> The third annual Junior Bassmaster Challenge is set for July 27 on Lake Kerr, which is nestled in the northern part of the Ocala National Forest. The event, which costs $20 and includes a T-shirt and lunch, is for kids ages 6 through 18. Anglers must pre-register on one of two dates — Friday or July 12 — between 5 and 6 p.m. at Gander Mountain.</p><p>The inaugural event featured 27 junior anglers, while last year there were 44. Organizers are capping the number of anglers at 60 this year.</p><p>Participants need to arrive at the Moorehead Park boat ramp by 5 a.m. The tournament begins at 6 a.m. with a weigh-in at 1 p.m. There will be three age groups (6-10, 11-14, 15-18) with first-, second- and third-place trophies as well as an award for the biggest bass. Every junior angler will get a prize. Eighteen-year-olds who participate must be attending high school this fall.</p><p>For more information visit www.marioncountybassmasters.com or call 572-3148.</p><p>-------</p><p><i>Contact Ted Beck at ted.beck@ocala.com to contribute story ideas for this weekly column.</i></p>